North America · 3766 km

Mississippi river cruises

Cruises on the Mississippi are operated by paddle-wheel and modern shallow-draft ships from American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages. Itineraries run on the Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis, on the Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul, and as full-river journeys of three weeks.

Length3766 km
Countries1
Ships sailing16
Operators3

About the Mississippi

Cruises on the Mississippi are operated by paddle-wheel and modern shallow-draft ships from American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages. Itineraries run on the Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis, on the Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul, and as full-river journeys of three weeks.

Headline destinations: New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg, St. Louis, St. Paul.

The river flows through 1 countries — United States. 16 ships from 3 different operators currently sail itineraries here, ranging from week-long classic loops to multi-week extended voyages.

Featured itineraries on the Mississippi

ItineraryLengthSample ports
Lower Mississippi Heritage 8 nights New Orleans · Oak Alley · Baton Rouge · St. Francisville · Natchez · Vicksburg · Memphis
Upper Mississippi Cruise 8 nights St. Louis · Hannibal · Burlington · Davenport · Dubuque · La Crosse · St. Paul
Complete Mississippi 22 nights New Orleans · Natchez · Vicksburg · Memphis · St. Louis · Hannibal · Dubuque

Operators sailing the Mississippi

Ships sailing the Mississippi

ShipCruise lineClassGuestsLaunched
American Countess American Queen Voyages Heritage Paddle-Wheeler 250 1995
American Duchess American Queen Voyages Heritage Paddle-Wheeler 166 1995
American Harmony American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2019
American Heritage American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2023
American Independence American Cruise Lines Coastal Cat 104 2010
American Jazz American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2020
American Melody American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2021
American Queen American Queen Voyages Heritage Paddle-Wheeler 417 1995
American Serenade American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2023
American Song American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2018
American Spirit American Cruise Lines Coastal Cat 100 2005
American Splendor American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2024
American Star American Cruise Lines Coastal Cat 100 2007
American Symphony American Cruise Lines Modern Riverboat 180 2022
Queen of the Mississippi American Cruise Lines Paddle-Wheeler 150 2012
Viking Mississippi Viking River Cruises US Modern 386 2022